Scarf score

I scored a great batch of 1960s-70s scarves at the thrift store. When I find a whole collection of a certain type of item, I usually scour the store in the hopes that I'll find something else the same person donated. In this case, I just got the scarves.

The bright, almost acidic, colors jumped out at me. The one in the middle with the orange blocks on a dark blue background is my favorite and I wore it right away. Four of them are long tie-shaped scarves. I'll try to find a dog-earred or white collared dress to wear them with.

Shall I be a red knight or a wizard today?

I was video-chatting with A (formerly known as ‘My Man in the U.K.) yesterday and he said, “What is that you’re wearing?” I adjusted the web cam so that he could see the new-to-me psychedelic Custo Barcelona t-shirt (worn with a pair of bright orange pants) that I had bought recently at the thrift store. He said that every time he talks to me (which is most days), I am wearing something he has never seen before and that I am like Mr. Benn.

Who is Mr. Benn?

He was a gentleman who starred in an British children’s animated television program in the early 1970s. Each episode he leaves his house at 52 Festive Road (I want to live on Festive Road!) and pays a visit to the magic fancy-dress costume shop. There he is assisted by a bespectacled, fez-wearing shopkeeper. Mr. Benn chooses a costume to take to the fitting room to try on. Once on, he passes through a door and into an adventure in a different time and place. Once he was a spaceman visiting different planets, another time he was a knight helping a dragon, and so on. Each time the shopkeeper appears at the end of his adventure and leads him back to the shop. And each time Mr. Benn comes home with a small souvenir in his pocket.

So, A thinks that the local thrift store is like the magic shop where I find a different costume every day. Now, there are some odd characters working and shopping there, but I haven’t seen any in a fez (yet). And my adventures are pretty limited to going to the post office or Whole Foods. Although today was somewhat more exciting in that I went to the post office and Trader Joe’s. But, maybe one day I will find an outfit that does lead to a wonderful adventure.

Here's the first episode:

I like this one too:

Does anyone dye anymore?

I was looking through some late 1960s and early 1970s issues of Seventeen magazine recently. Two things struck me. 1) There were lots of ads for sewing patterns, sewing machines, and fabrics, with an emphasis on how you can be unique and make your own looks. 2) The latter part of each issue was devoted to wedding articles and ads for engagement rings, hope chests, and dinnerware.

I glanced at current issues of Seventeen in the library recently and neither sewing or weddings are featured anymore. I’m not bemoaning the lack of attention on marriage for teen-agers, but the now the ads are focused on branded clothing and fitting in.

Not only sewing but dyeing was a big deal. Here are some ads for Rit and other dyes. It’s interesting that Rit paired up with other companies to co-market their products.

From Seventeen magazine, April, 1968Here Ked’s white sneakers are advertised with a sneaker painting kit. It seems that there were even sneaker painting contests according to this newspaper ad from 1968.

From Seventeen magazine, April, 1968From Seventeen magazine, February, 1970 “Rit Invents Electric Satin.” How to dye fabric for sewing clothes with Simplicity patterns (pattern numbers are given that top).

From Seventeen Magazine, June, 197Hot Stuff Rit Liquid Dye ad for hot pants and tank tops you and he dye together. The opposite page has complete instructions.

From Seventeen magazine, August, 1971Ad to “tie-dye your own original fashions.” This ad and the column on the opposite page have instructions for tie-dying a sweater, hat, windbreaker, skirt, and scarf. That’s a lot to get into one ad!

From Seventeen magazine, May 1973Two years later, after you’ve ditched the boyfriend, you can invite the whole gang over to tie-dye.

From Ingenue magazine, April , 1970“So you’re out to change the world. We can do it together” ad for Lady Esquire Instant Shoe Coloring, which came in 45 colors. This ad features an entry form for a contest for the “most original and workable idea.” Winner received a $3000 wardrobe by Pierre Cardin, New York.

Here’s a great article on shoe make-overs from the July, 1970 counterculture fashion magazine Rags. I think I need to make those star shoes.

I’m also inspired by bag and shoe dyeing projects on Vintage Vixen and Two Butterflies. I wonder what kind of paint/dye works best on non-leather shoes/bags. Anyone know?

Indian jacket with a past

Sometimes I wonder about the backstory of items I find at thrift shops.

Sabina of India jacket, $6.00, Boomerang (charity shop) This 1970s long jacket is of hand-woven cotton and is block-printed by hand. It has seen better days with a few ripped seams and one sleeve about 3 inches longer than the other. The longer one is patched.

I loved the hand-woven and hand-printed quality as well as the crazy print. Is that a cow, a tortoise, a buffalo? (I'm open to other suggestions)

One label says “Sabina of India/Made in India.” There is also a hand-sewn label for the department store, Bergdorf Goodman on the Plaza, New York. (An online search also turned up Sabina of India vintage clothes with hand-sewn Lord & Taylor labels). I am not showing that label because it has a person’s name handwritten on it. There is also another name and number handwritten on the inside. This made me think it must have made the rounds in a college dormitory (residence hall). So, I googled the distinctive name on the Bergdorf label and was able to identify the previous owner (and the one who probably donated it to the charity shop where I bought it) as a young woman who lives in the next town over from me. And she’s also vegan like me! Chances are, I’ll probably cross paths with her one day at one of the various vegan social events I attend. In the meantime, I am trying to decide whether to turn this into a short-sleeved, shorter, more fitted jacket, or a tote bag. Maybe I'll have it on/with me when I run into the previous owner!

Channeling Susan Dey

I bought this vintage (I’m guessing 1973-4-ish) Leslie Fay knit dress with cream-colored collar and cuffs because I liked the print. It has a floral pattern in heathery teal, raspberry, purple, green and peach on a black background. I also have a thing for full sleeves and collars and cuffs in contrasting colors.

However, the “secretary” style of the dress, with its yoked bodice and self-belt, really didn’t suit me.

1970s Leslie Fay dress shortened into a shirt, $6.99, Goodwill; 1990s Max Mara vest, purchased in the early 90s, Filene’s Basement; 1970s flared jeans, free from a clothing swap; 1980s Fiorucci studded belt, $1.99, Goodwill. So, I shortened it into a shirt and ditched the ribbon and belt. Now it sort of reminds me of something Susan Dey would wear in The Partridge Family.

Adding this to:

Learning to sew, again

I used to sew. But, not well. That didn't stop me from hoarding fabric and vintage patterns. Now, I am going to remedy that and take a sewing class. Hopefully, I will learn how to fit a pattern instead of making clothes that don't fit.

The long-sleeve, to-the-knee dress pattern from 1972 will be my project for class. For the fabric, I chose cotton in a dark, allover print to hide mistakes I no doubt will make. And the fabric was inexpensive, just under $9.00 for almost 3 yards. Wish me luck.

Inspiration

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this 1970s red dress that I got at the London Vintage Kilo Sale.

Jerry Hall for Vogue Patterns, Spring/Summer1975. I recognize this as at the Peacock Gate in Jaipur.I'll make a shorter (and polyester) version of this. But, I'll probably skip the turban.  More images from this fashion spread here.

Wrap-up of time in London, Part 2

In my last week in London, I made it to the only charity shop in which I’ve actually found interesting clothes at reasonably inexpensive prices (for London). I’m not saying which one it is.

Found this Desigual long-sleeve top. I was attracted to the muted color and, at first glance, the pattern reminded me of tracery of medieval stained glass. On closer inspection, it is actually graffiti, stars, cars and the words, “slow down.” Shows you where my head's at. I plan to medievalize it anyway by pairing it with my puffy sleeved, scoop-necked heathery brown t-shirt (purchased at TRAID in Camden Town last year).

I also found an actual vintage shirt. This lovely homemade 1970s blouse has a pattern that has a sort flowy Art Nouveau pattern with a touch of Egyptian-style Deco in the flower frond motifs.

I had to fit in lunch at Food for Thought, a veggie restaurant in Covent Garden that’s been around since 1974. I ate here all the time during my frequent visits to London in the 1980s and 90s.

Also had to say hello to some of my favorite artworks at the Victoria & Albert Museum, including this late 16th-early 17th-century sculpture of Nandi. He’s got such a sweet face and I love his jewelry.

My last evening in London, my Man told me to dress up as were going somewhere nice for dinner. I didn’t really have dressy clothes with me (and I don’t really own them anymore), so I cobbled together this outfit – a 1980s purple burnout velour dress (charity shop in Cambridge), red tights (on sale at Sainsbury’s), early 1990s Anna Sui red shimmery jacket (Filene’s Basement), my recently purchased blue hat, and the necklace I got for my birthday. (Sorry for bad photo).

I wanted to check out a new vegan café under the train tracks in London Fields so I took my laptop and set up shop that afternoon at Happy Kitchen. Before I gave my order to the young woman behind the counter, she said, “I love what you’re wearing!” Definitely made me feel good about my wardrobe choice for that evening. And the tea and ginger-infused flapjack also made me feel good.

Dinner was at Benares, an upscale Indian restaurant in Mayfair, that had yummy cocktails and mocktails. The clientele wasn’t that dressed up, so I was just fine. Food was very good, but for the price, my Man and I could have eaten dinner for a week at our favorite neighborhood dosa joint.

Bye-Bye London. See you soon.

Mary Tyler Moore meets Woodland Elf

My latest fashion obsession is pairing a top with short puffy sleeves and a scoop neckline over a top or tunic with full sleeves, preferably with both in heathery earth tones.  I wear them with vertical-stripe or velvety leggings and short boots. I’m sort of going for a medieval /elf look. I top them with a 1970s polyester double-knit  jacket in hunter green for a dash of Mary Tyler Moore.  

Accessories include a weighty moon-face pendant purchased in the 1970s, a beaded bracelet given to me today by my man, and blue and green woven belt I got at a clothing sway a few years back. Last week, a young man I had just met was admiring the moon-face pendant  and asked me where it was from. I told him that I didn’t remember as I had purchased it in the late 1970s. To which he replied, “So, it’s an antique then?” Gee, thanks.

Light olive green elastic waist tunic, purchased at TRAID, Camden, London, £4;heathery brown scoop neck, lined t-shirt, purchased at TRAID, Camden, London, £4; vertical-striped leggings purchased at Marks & Spencer in the early 1990s; 1970s hunter green polyester jacket, purchased at Goodwill charity shop, Cambridge, MA, $7.99 Steven Madden vegan lace-up boots; moon-face pendant purchased in the late 1970s; woven and canvas belt, free from clothing swap; seed bead bangle, gift from my man.

Linking this post to Visible Monday, as I'm fairly sure no one else is trying for a medieval/elf look.

Christmas

This was my first Christmas in London. We had a quiet day at home with lots of home-cooked food prepared  from River Cottage Veg Everyday cookbook.

Parsnip ginger soup

Ratatouille and bulghur

Cute little mince pies

Vegan goodies: hipohyfryd chocolates, Holy Cow golden crunch toffee, Fabulous Fudge factory dairy-free fudge, and Daisy & Co. vanilla marshmallows.

I've been wanting this blog to include vintage and vintage-inspired fashion but have been afraid to start, so I guess I'll just jump in now with what I wore today.

I purchased the Ted Baker aubergine (my favorite color) knit vest with pleated cap sleeves this week at TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) in Camden, London. It has a early 70s, Ziggy Stardust type of shape to it. I remember wearing cap sleeved knit vests in 1972. Does anyone know of any images of cap sleeved vests from 1970s ads or photos?

I've had this H & M velvet skirt for ages; it has been incredibly versatile. I've worn with a turtleneck sweater and boots for day and a satin bustier for evening.

newish Ted Baker knit vest, £8.00; Equipment embroidered blouse, purchased in early 1990s, H & M velvet skirt purchased in mid-1990s; 1960s black and white poodle print scarf that belonged to my mother. 1940s sterling brooch.